Goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu felicitated by school in Kakching
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, August 31 2024: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Australia's women's club Metro United, was felicitated by Practising Junior High School - her former school in Kakching - on Saturday.

Practising Junior High School headmistress Naorem Renuka Devi, senior teacher Naorem Jogendrajit, Panthoi Chanu's mother and Keirak Gram Panchayat pradhan Elangbam Shanti Leima shared the dais at the felicitation event.

Panthoi Chanu, daughter of Elangbam Chinglenkhomba Meitei and Elangbam Shanti Leima from Keirak Makha Leikai (Kakching), began her career at the Women Football Academy Kakching in 2007 .

She later joined Eastern Sporting Union in 2012, and in 2019, she became part of the Manipur Police Sports Union before returning to Eastern Sporting Union.

In 2024, Panthoi made history by signing with Metro United WFC, a club in the second tier of the National Premier Leagues Women's competition in South Australia, becoming the first Indian footballer to play professionally in Australia.

Panthoi has established a notable reputation with 25 national and 29 international matches to her credit.

Her accolades as a goalkeeper include being named best goalkeeper at the 55th National School Games 2009 (U-14 football) in Margao (Goa), earning back-to-back best goalkeeper awards in the Indian Women's League for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, being recognised as Manipur's footballer of the year for 2016-17, receiving the AIFF amazing player of the year award for 2017-2018, and securing the best goalkeeper title at the 25th Senior Women's National Football Championship in 2018 .

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